A new law aimed at enhancing protections for domestic violence victims, known as Karina’s Law, took effect on Mother’s Day. Signed by Governor JB Pritzker in February, the legislation requires law enforcement to confiscate firearms from individuals accused of domestic violence within 96 hours of a court issuing a protection order, addressing critical safety issues linked to gun access for abusers.
The law is named in memory of Karina Gonzalez, who was tragically killed by her husband in July 2023, along with her daughter. Her son, Manny Alvarez, now advocates for stronger domestic violence laws, emphasizing the importance of the new protections in saving lives. “Your name, mom, outlives the man who spent his life trying to break you,” he expressed in an emotional tribute. Such stories underscore the necessity of the law in combating domestic violence more effectively.
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